My NFC Final Regular Season Standings & First Round of Playoffs

    NFC EAST                                 NFC NORTH                       NFC SOUTH               

1. Eagles 12-4                               1. Vikings 11-5                        1. Falcons 10-6

2. Giants 10-6                              2. Packers 9-7                         2. Panthers 8-8

3. Cowboys 8-8                           3. Bears 8-8                              3. Saints 7-9

4. Redskins 7-9                           4. Lions 5-12                            4. Buccaneers 5-11

     NFC WEST                                                                     FINAL NFC STANDINGS

1. Cardinals 10-6                  *=first round bye                         1. Eagles 12-4*        

2. Seahawks 8-8                                                                                 2. Vikings 11-5*

3. 49ers 6-10                                                                                      3. Falcons 10-6

4. Rams 3-13                                                                                      4. Cardinals 10-6

                                                                                                                 5. Giants 10-6

                                                                                                                 6. Packers 9-7

FIRST ROUND NFC PLAYOFFS

#3 Atlanta Falcons vs. #6 Green Bay Packers

This should be another great game in the first round of the playoffs. Atlanta, relying on one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL, will play Green Bay, who has one of the best defensive teams in the NFL. This game could be an epic battle, and the way these two teams are built, this could become a rivalry for years to come. The key factor in this game will be TE Tony Gonzalez, and will provide a nice target in the end zone for QB Matt Ryan.

Prediction: 28-21, Falcons

#4 Arizona Cardinals vs. #5 New York Giants

This is possibly the least exciting game of my projected first round, and looks pretty easy to figure out as well. The Giants will be relying on the running game all year long to carry them, and RB Brandon Jacobs will be tired and beat up. QB Eli Manning just doesn’t have the receivers to make big plays in the passing game, and the Cardinals defense isn’t too weak. Arizona, of course, has an explosive offense and will ride that to victory.

Prediction: 35-7, Cardinals

NFL Season Preview: #3 New York Giants

Overview: The Giants took a fall from glory last season. Although they dominated most of the regular season, New York faltered late losing three of its last four games, which happened to be right around the time of WR Plaxico Burress’s suspension. With a 12-4 record, the Giants easily made the playoffs, but lost in the first round to the Eagles.

Offseason Moves: The for mentioned WR Plaxico Burress was then released by the Giants in one of their first moves of the off season. New York also lost RB Derrick Ward and CB Sam Madison. The Giants began adding again through the draft, where they selected Burress’s replacement, North Carolina WR Hakeem Nicks in the first round. On defense, New York added DT Rocky Bernard and LB Michael Boley.

Upcoming Season: The Giants have a weak passing game with no true No.1 receiver. QB Eli Manning will be looking for WRs Domenik Hixon and Sinorice Moss to step up. New York still has one of the best offensive lines and running games in football, led by RB Brandon Jacobs and T Kareem McKenzie. On defense, the Giants have one of the best defensive lines and line backing cores in the NFL with DEs Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora and LBs Michael Boley and Antonio Pierce. Although, the secondary doesn’t have the depth it had in recent years, it is still solid.

Player to watch: QB Eli Manning loved using WR Plaxico Burress’s size as an advantage. While WR Hakeem Nicks isn’t a giant at 6’1″, he has the closest skill set to Burress. Nicks will be leaned upon heavily in his rookie season, and look for him to produce.

Prediction: 10-6, 2nd in NFC East

The Giants did get a little bit worse, but are still a strong team. Of course, the Eagles did get a lot better, and New York can still expect to be in the postseason.